What type of curly hair do I have?

The curl type classification system is divided into four types, from 1 to 4, with type 1 being straight hair.

•  Type 2 is wavy
•  Type 3 is curly
•  Type 4 is coily

Within each numbered category, hair types are divided into subcategories of A to C, depending on curl pattern and width.

The variety in curly hair types is caused by different follicle shapes, from round to elliptical. Curl types are also defined by the pattern your strands make, whether hair grows into curves, spirals, or kinks. And it’s totally normal to have more than one curl type going on, so you might have a combination of curls and coils!

As each curl type has slightly different textures and needs, it’s important to identify yours to select the best products and care routine.

Wavy hair types have a slight to moderate bend in their shape. When the hair falls, it creates a natural S shape and has a loose curl to it.

Type 2A Hair

Type 2A hair falls in gentle, loose waves with a fine density. It is straighter than other types of curly hair, and often straight when damp or at the roots. 2A hair has the most subtle curl type.

Type 2B Hair

Type 2B hair features wavy curls that start around the mid-length of each strand, with the roots being a bit straighter. Hair typically has more volume than straight hair and the waves have a more noticeable ‘S’ shape towards the ends.

Type 2C Hair

Type 2C hair falls in tighter, more defined waves with a coarser texture. The hair will fall with a noticeable ‘S’ shape and has the most volume of the wavy hair types. 2C hair can be more prone to frizz than looser waves, and the waves start at the roots.

Soft or defined, waves need smoothness to look their best, so you can enhance your waves with the Garnier Hair Food masks to provide deep hydration feeling. Try them as rinse-out masks or as you’d use your usual conditioner!

For added shine, you can start the smoothness process even earlier in your hair wash routine by incorporating Garnier Hair Drink treatments. Use your fingers to detangle your waves in the shower before slathering on the rich liquid conditioner for just 10 seconds before rinsing. 

The conditioner contains hydrating ingredients such as banana and papaya and it helpa define and bring life to your waves.

Type 3 hair strands - a.k.a curly hair types - loop back on themselves to create circular curls. Typically these curls appear as loops or have a more spiral shape as they fall. Within type 3 hair, curl patterns can range from loose ringlets to tight corkscrews. 
Curly hair has more volume than straight or wavy hair and can be more prone to frizz. 

Type 3A Hair

Type 3A hair falls in loose, curly loops with a C-shape, that spring back when pulled. 3A hair has a tighter loop than wavy hair and has more bounce and volume.

Type 3B Hair

Type 3B hair has a denser, coarser texture with small, defined curls. The ringlets are springy and a little wider than a finger width. There is a clear definition to the curls and hair has a noticeable difference in length when pulled straight vs. left curly.

Type 3C Hair

Type 3C hair will look like tight, springy corkscrews with plenty of natural shine. The curls are tightly packed providing lots of volume, and the hair is more prone to dryness and frizz. The ringlets are about the width of a pencil and there is more volume at the roots, too.

Define and leave your type 3 curls feeling hydrated with Garnier’s supercharged Hair Food masks. Nourishing formulas like the best-selling Banana Hair Food Mask dial up the shine thanks to Vitamin C, E, and F derivatives and shea butter. 

Leave the mask on wet hair for up to 5 minutes before rinsing out to leave your curly strands up to 7x smoother*. You can also leave it in (no rinsing required) for deep, long-lasting nourishment, or even use it to help style your hair.

*Instrumental test after application of the mask as a rinse-off

With type 4 hair, the S-shaped curls are tightened into defined coils. Textures can range from thin and fine to very thick. This hair type is prone to shrinkage (where the hair appears much shorter in its coil than when wet or pulled down), and dryness. 

Coily hair types often form a ‘Z’ shaped, zig-zag, or very tight spiral pattern. Coily hair is usually very dense and voluminous, and the coils appear right from the root of the hair.

Type 4A Hair

Type 4A hair falls in tight, coily, S-shaped springs with plenty of volume. The coils have a much thinner ringlet shape, about the width of a knitting needle, and are tightly packed which gives the hair lots of volume and bounce.

Type 4B Hair

Type 4B hair has tight coils that look more like a Z-shape, rather than S-shape. The coils are a lot more textured than other curly hair types, and the shape is more angular. Like other coily hair types, 4B hair is voluminous and densely packed.

Type 4C Hair

Type 4C hair is tightly packed with fine, zig-zag coils. This coily hair type is the tightest of all curl patterns. 4C hair is prone to experiencing shrinkage and may have less definition. The hair is dense and extremely voluminous, with individual coils taking on a sharp and compacted ‘Z’ shape.

Lock in smoothness and help prevent coil shrinkage with Garnier’s intense feeling Hair Food masks. Try treating your Type 4 coils to the curl-defining Cocoa Butter Hair Food Mask. Apply to dry hair for up to 10 minutes before shampooing, or massage into wet hair as your usual conditioner. 

You can also leave the mask in for bouncy, nourished, and moisturised coils as part of your hair smoothing routine. And remember, it can also be a great tool for coily hair styling - for more tips on using this product to style your hair, check out this article.

Garnier x Black Ballad Cornrow Class

Understanding your curly hair type is the key to unlocking your best-ever hair day. While waves, curls, and coils can benefit from a little extra hydrating TLC, your caring routine can be simple and fun with the right products. 

Ready to show your locks a little love? Try the Garnier’s Hair Food range and share your results! 

Shop the Garnier Hair Food range for curly hair care.

Is my hair wavy or curly?

The difference between curly and wavy hair lies in its shape. Whereas curly hair has a more defined ringlet that loops back on itself, wavy hair has a more subtle ‘S’ shape that lies flat on the hair. Wavy hair is usually concentrated at the ends of the hair, with the roots remaining relatively straight.

What is the difference between curly and coily hair?

Coily hair has a much more compact pattern than type 3 curls, and often is a lot denser and has more of a spring than curly hair. Conversely, curly hair has clearly defined, looser ringlets, compared to coily hair where the shapes are much tighter, angular, and can be more of a ‘Z’ shape.

How many types of curly hair are there?

There are 9 identifiable types of curly hair ranging from 2a (loose waves) to 4c (tight coils). Type 2 hair covers waves, type 3 hair covers curls, and type 4 covers coily hair. The categories are then subdivided into ‘a’, ‘b’, and ‘c’ depending on the degree of the curl pattern.